I32319: Barbara Nell CHERRY

Notes

"According to the "Bishop's Transcripts, Parish Church of Cirencester, Church of England, FHL Film 417142", Edward Willett was not found in theChurch records of Cirencester because the records are missing from 1626 to 1660.

Edward was a Pewterer by trade. According to a genealogy (unknown author) listed on the "Gelealogy Club" web-site, "when Edward was about14 he began studying the art of pewter making. A young lad, such asEdward desiring to become a pewterer would have to apprentice himself toa master craftsman for a period of 7 years, sometime longer. The young apprentice lived with his master and was subject to his (sic) discipline. (According to "Presentation of Apprentices, Court Minutes,Worshipful Company of Pewterers, London, Guildhall Library, London,Manuscript MS 7090 v.6" "Daniel Mason presented Edward Willett, son of Edward Willett in the city of Sirensiter[Cirencester] in the County of Gloucester, clothier, seven years from midsummer next. Another entry indicated "Edward Willett, apprentice to Daniel Mason is committed toWilliam Spill to serve...." 8 February 1675". Continuing, "EdwardWillett, apprenticed to Daniel Mason and afterwards turned over toWilliam Spill is by this court turned over to William Burton to serve the remaining years of his ___ ___ as an apprentice." 20 March 1678. ). Upon completing his apprenticeship (On September 22, 1681, "Edward Willett gave five shillings into the poor box to be admitted as freeman this day contrary to a former order prohibiting any admission into freedom but on[ ] days. SWORN AND MADE FREE: Edward Willett, apprentice to Daniel Mason and turned over to William Spill and William Burton.") he was given the freedom oath, had his touch struck, (sic) set up shop (On 6 October1684, "Edward Willett asked leave to open [undecipherable but was probably his request to open his own shop]" and had his name added to the yeomanry list at the Hall of Worshipful Company of Pewterers of London.(General information from Cahats in Old Pewter by Masse, pg. 33-34). In1681 at the age of 23, Edward Willett received his mark and became a Pewterer. He was given leave to strike his touch in the Pewterer's Hall of London in 1684/5 (Older Pewter by Cotterell, pp. 337). According to"Received for Openings, Master's Account, Audit Book, Worshipful Company of Pewterers, London, Michaelmas (29 Sep) 1684 to 23 July 1685, Guildhall Library, London, Manuscript MS 7086 v.4 (1663-1717) "Edward Willett was granted permission to open his own shop for a fee of three pounds, four shillings.
In 1681 at the age of 23, Edward Willett received his mark and became a Pewterer. He was given leave to strike his touch in the Pewterer's Hall of London in 1684/5 (Older Pewter by Cotterell, pp. 337). It appears Edward would also take on an apprentice, for on 20 July 1686 "Edward presented Thomas Pously, son of George Pously of [Agnoff?] in theCounty of [Troon?], groom, for seven years from this date". Further, on 20 February 1687, "Thomas Pously, apprentice to Edward Willett is turned over to Joseph King". It was sometime after the above date that Edward emigrated to the Colony of Maryland.

"The Coat-of-Arms was sometimes used as an inscription on the Pewterer's touch. Towards the end of the 17th century the touches appeared with the makers' names. Edward Willett incorporated both practices in his touch.

The Willett families in England had Coats-of-Arms so similar that(sic) it is certain they were originally of one family. On the top of each Willett Coat-of-Arms is found a bird over a crown as Edward Willett had struck on his touch. The original will of Edward Willett of Prince George's Co., MD still in existence in the Hall of Records in Annapolis,carries his seal. This seal bears the imprint of a crown with a bird over it. Because of this seal, it is believed Edward Willett is an English Willett descendant. The bird found on the top of the crest and Coat-of-Arms of the Willetts is said to be a Willet, a large light colored shore bird....".

In "A Short History of Pewter by Elsie Englefield printed in London in1933 she states, "only Pewterers' sons could follow the calling..."(pp.22). If this were true Edward Willett would have to be the son of Richard Willett, A Pewterer who received his mark in London c. 1660.".(Note: The author of this genealogy disagrees with the above assumption.Richard may have been a brother or cousin of Edwards father Edward Willett).

The following is a research note from Fred & Barbara Naef: Gloucestershire - an administrative County established in 1974 to replace the former County of Gloucester, located in southwest central England.The county seat is the city of Gloucester, on the Severn River. Cirencester - an urban district within Gloucestershire, 14 miles SE of Gloucester.

By 1692, Edward Willett is known to be living on the Patuxent River in the Province of Maryland. How long he had been in Maryland prior to this date is not known. Laughlin ranks Edward Willett who studied in London among the earliest of American Pewterrs in his book, "The Pewters of the South". Edward operated his shop in Upper Marlboro, Prince Georges Co.,MD from approximately 1692 to 1743, this according to "Collecting American Pewter" by Katherine Ebert. 1973.

According to research by Judy & Kathleen Kirkland, "Edward was a member of St. Paul's Parish in Charlestowne, MD and became Clerk of Vestry, 5/10/1692. Edward signed a message to the Crown (referring to the King of England). He was a Civil Officer & Magistrate of Pr. GeorgesCo., MD. Additional research indicates he owned at least twelve properties in P.G. County".

According to the "Genealogy Club", "on 7/28/1698 Edward Willett purchased from Col. Ninian Beall, his neighbor, a 43 acre tract of landcalled "Beall's Craft" which was on the west side of the western branch of the Patuxant River (Deed A:152).
On 2/25/1700 he purchased a 100 acretract called "Horserace" which joined "Beall's Craft" on the south (DeedA:437).
On 4/18/1702 Edward Willett bought a tract of land called "Bealington" on the west side of the Patuxent River which included a dwelling house, a barn, stables, yards, gardens and an orchard, as well as an additional piece of property containing 100 acres called "GoodLuck" (Deed A:437). Both pieces adjoined the property he already possessed.
On 8/12/1702 he purchased a tract of land called "LittleDoan" which contained a dwelling house, barns, stables an 103 acres of land (Deed C:9).". This last transaction was also shown in Deed Book A, Folio 9 found in the Upper Marlboro Court House, as a sale to Thomas James on August 12, 1702 of 103 acres on Beaver Dam Branch called "LittleDeane" formerly in Calver County, now in Prince George's County for 3000 pounds of good merchantable tobacco. [Author note: this appears to be the same piece of land, so who do we believe?].

On 19 August 1702, Edward Willett, pewterer of Prince George's County and his wife Tabitha seem to have sold 157 acres in Prince George's County called "The Horserace" for 250 pounds, and the balance (less 103 acres) of "Little Deane" for 173 Pounds, 10 Shillings. On the same date he received from the agent for the Allen Estate, an obligation for 346 Pounds. (Folio 11a, & 13).

On January 8, 1705, Edward received a "Royal Appointment", from Philemon Loyd. To: Edward Willett, Gent. "Sir Thomas Laurance, Baron,Secretary of Maryland for Queen Ann, appointed Philemon Loyd Deputy Secretary at Large of Maryland. Loyd now appoints Edward Willett to be Clerk and Keeper of the Records of Prince George's County Court." (Folio215) Note, this was a position Edward would keep for many years.

According to "The Willett Family of Maryland" by Sister Mary Louise Donnelly, "on 9/10/1728 Edward Willett, Sr. gave to his son Edward Willett, JR. "in consideration of the natural affection & fatherly love"60 acres of "Bealington" (Deed M:324)."

On February 7, 1744/45 in Prince Georges County, MD, Edwards will was proved. (Will Book - Orphan's Court, Liber I, Folio 358-359), (Prince George's Co., Deed Book C, p. 11a, Book M, p. 324), Bell, Annie W. Burns,Maryland Will Book No. 24, 1686-1744) & (Laughlin, Ledlie I, Pewter in America, v.2, pp.73-4)."

Father: Edward WILLETT b: ABT. 1620 in England
Mother: Bridgett (Unknown) WILLETT b: ABT. 1620 in England

Children:
2 Charles WILLETT b: ABT. 1698 d: 1739 + Mary CAWOOD
2 Bridget WILLETT b: 18 JUL 1699 d: BEF. 1744
2 Ninian WILLETT, Sr. b: 30 Nov 1701 d: 9 Nov 1773 + Mary (Unknown) b: abt 1701
2 Edward WILLETT,Jr. b: 12 Jan 1702 d: 8 Mar 1772 + Mary HARBIN b:abt 1706 d: bef 1749
2 Thomas WILLETT b: 9 AUG 1708 d: 1751+ Isabelle ALLISON b: 11 FEB 1708/09 d: 1794
2 Ann WILLETT b: ABT. 1712 d: 1769 + James SWAN
2 William WILLETT,Sr. b:abt 1715 d:abt 27 Aug 1772+Mary GRIFFITH b:1720 d:12 Aug 1792
2 James WILLETT b: ABT. 1717 d: BEF. 1760 + Eleanor OGLE ^[S2789]

My Southern Family

Barbara Nell CHERRY

Anne COPELAND

ABT 1710 - ____

ID Number: I82668

Sources

Griffith C. DICKINSON

27 Apr 1779 - ABT 1808

ID Number: I9104

Notes

Sources

Isadore "Dora" HOGUE

22 Jul 1879 - 20 Mar 1922

ID Number: I34689

Sources

Orlando L. MCKNEELY

1844 - ____

ID Number: I11031

Sources

Lucy PENDLETON

ABT 1770 - ____

ID Number: I57464

Sources

Zemula Walker PENDLETON

ABT 1870 - ____

ID Number: I60781

Sources

MARGARET de SUTTON

____ - ____

ID Number: I88923

Notes

Sources

Joseph TAYLOR

ABT 1860 - ____

ID Number: I48181

Sources

(RESEARCH QUERY) TYLER of NC

____ - ____

ID Number: I101938

Sources

HENRY WENTWORTH Esq. of Cobham Hall

ABT 1426 - 22 Mar 1481

ID Number: I44860

Notes

Sources

Edward WILLETT "the Immigrant"

7 Oct 1656 - 11 Feb 1744

ID Number: I73385

Notes

Sources

James WILLIAMSON

ABT 1770 - AFT 1820

ID Number: I96160

Notes

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